2 Samuel Chapter 15
1 After this, Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, and fifty men to run before him.
2 Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. When any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgement, then Absalom called to him, and said, "What city are you from?" He said, "Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel."
3 Absalom said to him, "Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you."
4 Absalom said moreover, "Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!"
5 It was so, that when any man came near to bow down to him, he stretched out his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him.
6 Absalom did this sort of thing to all Israel who came to the king for judgement. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.
8 For your servant vowed a vow while I stayed at Geshur in Syria, saying, 'If the LORD shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.' "
9 The king said to him, "Go in peace." So he arose, and went to Hebron.
10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, 'Absalom is king in Hebron!' "
11 Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they didn't know anything.
12 Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. The conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
13 A messenger came to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom."
14 David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise! Let's flee; or else none of us will escape from Absalom. Hurry to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword."
15 The king's servants said to the king, "Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses."
16 The king went out, and all his household after him. The king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house.
17 The king went out, and all the people after him; and they stayed in Beth Merhak.
18 All his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why do you also go with us? Return, and stay with the king; for you are a foreigner, and also an exile. Return to your own place.
20 Whereas you came but yesterday, should I today make you go up and down with us, since I go where I may? Return, and take back your brothers. Mercy and truth be with you."
21 Ittai answered the king, and said, "As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in what place my lord the king is, whether for death or for life, your servant will be there also."
22 David said to Ittai, "Go and pass over." Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones who were with him.
23 All the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over. The king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, towards the way of the wilderness.
24 Behold, Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God; and they set down God's ark; and Abiathar went up, until all the people finished passing out of the city.
25 The king said to Zadok, "Carry God's ark back into the city. If I find favour in the LORD's eyes, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation;
26 but if he says, 'I have no delight in you;' behold, here I am. Let him do to me as seems good to him."
27 The king said also to Zadok the priest, "Aren't you a seer? Return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
28 Behold, I will stay at the fords of the wilderness, until word comes from you to inform me."
29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried God's ark to Jerusalem again; and they stayed there.
30 David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot. All the people who were with him each covered his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
31 Someone told David, saying, "Ahithophel is amongst the conspirators with Absalom." David said, "LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness."
32 When David had come to the top, where God was worshipped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his tunic torn, and earth on his head.
33 David said to him, "If you pass on with me, then you will be a burden to me;
34 but if you return to the city, and tell Absalom, 'I will be your servant, O king. As I have been your father's servant in time past, so I will now be your servant; then will you defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.'
35 Don't you have Zadok and Abiathar the priests there with you? Therefore whatever you hear out of the king's house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son. Send to me everything that you shall hear by them."
37 So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
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2 Samuel Chapter 15 Guide
That Absalom's attitude of obeisance before David was feigned is proved by his conspiracy. That Joab cared nothing personally for Absalom is evident from his refusal to see him any further. Absalom's cunning is manifested in that he waited and plotted four years, ever attempting to turn the heart of the people toward himself. His unscrupulousness, moreover, was shown in that when everything was ripe for action, he proceeded to the overt act of rebellion under cover of religious observance.
Perhaps there is nothing more pathetic in the story of David than his flight from the city. Almost all the essential characteristics of the man were exhibited. Nevertheless, throughout we discover the note of the chastened and humbled spirit, which recognized the righteousness of the suffering following on his sin. His magnanimity was manifested in his suggestion to Itai, the Philistine, that there was no need that he should share the misfortune of his sorrow. Above all, his submission to God was supreme; he said, "If He say thus, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let Him do to me as seemeth good unto Him." He left the city weeping, with covered head and barefoot, these things being the symbols of his penitence. Yet even here he was the astute and far-seeing man, as is evidenced by his leaving behind Abiathar and Zadok, the priests, and Hushai, his friend.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
2 Samuel Chapter 15 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- Absalom's ambition. -- (1-6)
- His conspiracy. -- (7-12)
- David leaves Jerusalem. -- (13-23)
- David sends back the ark. -- (24-30)
- He prays against Ahithophel's counsel. -- (31-37)
Verses 1-6
David allows Absalom's pomp. Those parents know not what they do, who indulge a proud humour in their children: many young people are ruined by pride. And those commonly are most eager for authority who least understand its duties.
Verses 7-12
See how willing tender parents are to believe the best concerning their children. But how easy and how wicked is it, for children to take advantage of good parents, and to deceive them with the show of religion! The principal men of Jerusalem joined Absalom's feast upon his sacrifice. Pious persons are glad to see others appear religious, and this gives occasion for deceptions. The policy of wicked men, and the subtlety of Satan, are exerted to draw good persons to countenance base designs.
Verses 13-23
David determined to quit Jerusalem. He took this resolve, as a penitent submitting to the rod. Before unrighteous Absalom he could justify himself, and stand out; but before the righteous God he must condemn himself, and yield to his judgments. Thus he accepts the punishment of his sin. And good men, when they themselves suffer, are anxious that others should not be led to suffer with them. He compelled none; those whose hearts were with Absalom, to Absalom let them go, and so shall their doom be. Thus Christ enlists none but willing followers. David cannot bear to think that Ittai, a stranger and an exile, a proselyte and a new convert, who ought to be encouraged and made easy, should meet with hard usage. But such value has Ittai for David's wisdom and goodness, that he will not leave him. He is a friend indeed, who loves at all times, and will adhere to us in adversity. Let us cleave to the Son of David, with full purpose of heart, and neither life nor death shall separate us from his love.
Verses 24-30
David is very careful for the safety of the ark. It is right to be more concerned for the church's prosperity than our own; to prefer the success of the gospel above our own wealth, credit, ease, and safety. Observe with what satisfaction and submission David speaks of the Divine disposal. It is our interest, as well as our duty, cheerfully to acquiesce in the will of God, whatever befalls us. Let us see God's hand in all events; and that we may not be afraid of what shall be, let us see all events in God's hand. David's sin was ever before him, Ps 51:3; but never so plain, nor ever appearing so black as now. He never wept thus when Saul hunted him, but a wounded conscience makes troubles lie heavy, Ps 38:4.
Verses 31-37
David prays not against Ahithophel's person, but against his counsel. He prayed this, in firm belief that God has all hearts in his hand, and tongues also. But we must second our prayers with endeavours, and David did so, else we tempt God. But we do not find wisdom and simplicity so united in any mere man, that we can perceive nothing which needs forgiveness. Yet, when the Son of David was treated with all possible treachery and cruelty, his wisdom, meekness, candour, and patience, were perfect. Him let us follow, cleave to, and serve, in life and in death.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.